That doesn’t stop me from going out of my way to walk past the Arts building on my way to the stadium for training, but thankfully, I don’t bump into her.
I really am asking for trouble.
Due to my brief detour, I’m five minutes late, but Luca already has the boys out on the pitch warming up. If that’s not the sign of a true leader, I don’t know what is. Middlesborough are lucky to have him. I clap him on the shoulder and tell him as much.
“Cheers, Coach,” he says, ducking his head. “But I know I’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of me.”
“Don’t forget to have fun, too,” I remind him. “You’re only young. Make sure you take it all in and enjoy playingfootball, because the moment you stop enjoying it is the moment it becomes a job and not a dream.”
Luca gives a small nod, his eyes drifting back to the pitch where his old teammates are laughing during stretches. “I hear you.”
My lips tug into a smile. There’s something special about the kid—he’s humble, driven, and already carries himself like a pro. Luca’s got his head screwed on straight. I’m proud of him.
“Now, as much as I would selfishly love to keep you here, we’ve got a space to fill, and Coach Johnson’s under the weather. I’d love to hear your thoughts on who you think your replacement should be.”
His brow furrows as he runs a critical eye over the group of players. I’ve called up a couple of the reserves to see who might be a good fit for the team.
“Grenovic has the closing speed, but he still struggles with his first touch. He’s a loose unit, already planning his fancy footwork in his head before he even receives the ball. Kade is probably your best pick of the two. He’s more technical and reads the play well. He might not be as fast, but you can work on pace. I like his style; it’s a lot calmer and more controlled.”
My grin widens as I watch Jasper Kade. He was my pick of the two as well. “You sure you want to play and not coach?”
He chuckles. “One day, maybe.”
“I don’t doubt anything you put your mind to, son.” I blow my whistle. “Alright, let’s put these guys through their paces.”
Chapter 21
Leni
Iskipped classes on Thursday to drive Luca and Willow to the airport. Saying goodbye to my best friend sucked, especially because I still haven’t confided in her about who my mystery masked stranger is. I’d love to get her hot take on everything, but I don’t want Luca finding out. I can’t risk it getting back to Dylan.
It’s over. It has to be because Ethan’s leaving. I only wish my body would get the memo, because I still feel the ghost of his touch and it’s leaving me hot and bothered twenty-four-seven. The way he set me alight with his fingers and his tongue?—
“Are you okay?” Nora asks, shocking me from my thoughts and causing me to spill orange juice all over the kitchen bench.
I mutter a curse and reach for a cloth to clean up the sticky mess.
“Your face has gone all red and splotchy,” my sister says, studying me carefully.
“I’mfine.”
“You look like you’ve been caught doing something you shouldn’t,” Esme adds, popping a grape in her mouth and giving me a suspicious side-eye.
“I was not,” I say a little too quickly as I duck my head and concentrate on not making an even bigger mess as I scrub at the orange juice.
Nora narrows her eyes. “Then why do you look so flushed?”
Esme giggles. “Were you having spicy daydreams about the gardener’s son? He’s so freaking hot. I’d let him trim my bushes.”
“I was not having spicy anything,” I snap, wishing the floor would open and swallow me whole. “Geez, Esme, you’re thirteen. You shouldn’t even know what that means.”
“She’s gone redder,” Esme says to Nora, ignoring me. “She was totally having inappropriate thoughts about someone.”
“Totally,” Nora agrees with a smirk.
“Oh. My. God. Would you two stop it.” I toss the cloth in the sink and take a large gulp of my drink in an effort to ease the flames burning through me.
“Tell us who he is,” Esme presses.
